Turks and Caicos Islands Picks and News

GOVERNOR RIC TODD AND MILESTONES IN TURKS AND CAICOS

Published in TCI Now on 18th September,2012
The TCI is benefitting from the most far-reaching reform programme conducted in any UK Overseas Territory said Governor Ric Todd, as he published his final quarterly progress report on the interim administration’s milestones on Tuesday.

Progress against the eight milestones has left the TCI with an improved, more effective and sustainable public service; modernised legislation; stronger control of its public finances investing in key priorities; and sound management of the economy, which has been growing since 2010 and by 4.1% in 2011.

These principles have sought to instil good governance at the heart of the public service and have underpinned the activities of the interim administration since it took on responsibility for governing the Territory following the suspension of the TCI Constitution after the damning conclusions reached by the Sir Robin Auld led Commission of Inquiry in 2009.

The six-month long, highly detailed investigation by Sir Robin concluded that there was a high probability of systematic corruption in the TCI government, legislature and public officers of the Territory; compounded by a serious deterioration – from an already low level – in the Territory’s system of governance and public financial management. This corruption appeared to have consisted mainly of bribery and fraud by developers and other investors of Ministers and public officers, so as to secure Crown Land on favourable terms.

The eight milestones themselves were published in 2010 and outlined the practical steps that would need to be taken in order address the institutional problems and return to an elected Assembly and Government. Achievements against them have led to the TCI Constitution being reinstated on 15 October, triggering the general election on 9 November 2012.

“With the prospect of fresh elections now firmly in sight, the beneficial changes brought about by the milestones provides any future elected administration with a solid and more sustainable base with which to consider affordable levels of public expenditure, demonstrate continued good governance and achieve sustainable economic development to the benefit of all people in TCI,” said Todd.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone across TCI, in the Governor’s Office and UK government for all of their hard work and commitment to embed the reforms in everyday practices and embrace these better ways of working. The support provided by TCI public servants, advisers, legal drafters and numerous other contributors has been exceptional. The programme of work to modernise the management and delivery of public services in TCI, as well as to put public finances on the road to recovery, modernise legislation and strengthen the economy is simply most extensive undertaken for any UK overseas territory.”